Controlling a Molex fan

[J.Munslow]

So in my build i have 3 fans powered directly by the motherboard and one that is powered by molex. i like to turn my fan speeds waaaaaay down so that my pc is near silent but obviously this isn't an option for my molex fan. i was wondering though if i could source a 4 pin fan header to molex adapter that would let me take control of this fan, or would that not work?

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just get a resistor and put in in the Dan lead or most the connector to run off 7v or 5v. 

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

Just buy a fan controller 

[MimigaKing]

4 minutes ago, Alaradia said:

Just buy a fan controller 

would you have one to propose?

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

1 minute ago, MimigaKing said:

would you have one to propose?

pretty much any work i just got a random one from cc awhile back you could also get a cable splitter https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-cable-splitter-4-fan-pwm-extended but that would mean all the fans would be at the same sped

[J.Munslow]

1 minute ago, Alaradia said:

pretty much any work i just got a random one from cc awhile back you could also get a cable splitter https://www.ekwb.com/shop/ek-cable-splitter-4-fan-pwm-extended but that would mean all the fans would be at the same sped

i already have enough fan headers, i was just wondering if using an adapter to plug the molex fan into the board directly would allow me to control it

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

Just now, J.Munslow said:

i already have enough fan headers, i was just wondering if using an adapter to plug the molex fan into the board directly would allow me to control it

wait why don't you just unplug the molex adapter and plug it straight into the board then???????????????

[J.Munslow]

the fan isn't running on an adapter, it plugs directly into a molex connector, like this one:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THREE-PACK-SUPER-SILENT-MOLEX-120MM-BLUE-LED-PC-CASE-FAN-12CM-CASE-COOLING-X-3-/132169448667?hash=item1ec5e9bcdb:g:FF4AAOSwTM5Y7e3q

[rebelyell]

jump on newegg  and get a controller fits right in the rear slots..

[Enderman]

Molex to 3 pin fan connector would probably work fine, it may or may not work properly at lower speeds though.

A fan that only uses a molex connector is a sign of a POS horrible fan that needs to be upgraded anyway.

[PeachyUwUSenpai]

you may want to fix your original post since it states the fan uses a molex power adapter not a molex connector

[MrJoosh]

5 hours ago, J.Munslow said:

So in my build i have 3 fans powered directly by the motherboard and one that is powered by a molex adapter. i like to turn my fan speeds waaaaaay down so that my pc is near silent but obviously this isn't an option for my molex fan. i was wondering though if i could source a 4 pin fan header to molex adapter that would let me take control of this fan, or would that not work?

The easiest way to do this would be as  suggested below:

 

5 hours ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Just get a resistor and put in in the Dan lead or most the connector to run off 7v or 5v. 

To mod the lead, simply move the pins in the plug.

Assuming that your fan has a red +ve and black -ve wire, then the following applies:

 

12v (highest speed; most noise):

red -> yellow

black -> black

 

7v (lower speed; reduced noise):

red -> yellow

black -> red

 

5v (lowest speed; lowest noise):

red -> red

black -> black

 

This is all explained in more detail with pictures here (hope linking to other forums is allowed - i'm new here...)

 

This isn't adjustable on the fly though (unless you wire in switches to change the pins), but should achieve what you're after.

 

As mentioned above though, the most elegant solution would be one of the below:

1. Buy a better fan, as they can be had for ~£5, and plug into either a spare motherboard header, or one that is being used by utilising a splitter as linked above.
2. Buy a fan controller and take on the fly control of all of the fans at your disposal.

HTH

 

Josh